Old Courthouse, Queen Street between Fort & Bishop Streets, Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI

Significance: The Old Courthouse, constructed in 1852, was a two-story coral stone building, 56 x 75 feet, with a one-story Classical portico in front (NW); across the back there was a one-story adjunct. The building provided office space, a hall for legislative assembly, and a Supreme Court room, originally with 30 foot ceiling. Remodeling in the 1850's added more office space, and warehouse storage in the basement for Customs. The large rooms were also used for public meetings, fairs and fancy dress balls. In 1874 the Courthouse was the scene of the riot triggered by the election of Kalakaua as king. With the removal of governmental offices to Aliiolani Hale later that year, the building was sold to the mercantile firm of H. Hackfeld & Co.; it was remodeled on the interior, and between 1885 and 1891 the building was enlarged to two stories in the rear to provide more space for office and warehouse use. The front portico was removed about the turn of the century. Today the building is used by American Factors Ltd. for office space.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-6
Survey number: HABS HI-5